Link Building Beta Test

Link Building Beta Test

Most of you probably didn’t notice, but we have started running a beta test of a free link building system. We’re not terribly optimistic, but the test is in direct response to a client inquiry. Since we didn’t have a suitable answer to the validity of the system, we thought we’d try it out so we could advice future clients.

Basically, the system works like this:

Add a simple free plug-in to the WordPress site (it is in the footer – bottom right) that shows three links to other participating sites in the network. The idea is that Google will index the links and thus create a backlink. In return, we submit our link with anchor text of our choosing and it will show on other sites.

For this test, we chose the anchor text “Dallas Website Design”. We have never optimized for these keywords since we currently focus our efforts of Denton, Lewisville and Flower Mound. This will make is simpler to quantify results.

Typically, these types of systems have the potential to do more harm than good, but since we use our site as a sandbox for all of our SEO testing we’re willing to try it out.

We’ll continue to monitor this program over the next several weeks and months and report what happens.

As of launch, SEO SpyGlass recognizes a total of 1090 links. We’ll use this tool to measure results.

October 21 update:

SEO SpyGlass now recognizes 1458 links; however only about 125 appear to be a result of this beta test. While impressive in terms of quantity for a free service, none of the backlinks appears to have much value.

So far the jury is still out, but I’m not terribly impressed. More to come…

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Paul Dumas is the founder, owner and head geek @ The Optimized Marketing Group. The Internet marketing company specializes in website design, local search optimization, reputation management and social media consulting for small businesses, non-profits and municipalities throughout North Texas.